First Responder Files Civil Lawsuit Over Fatal Adelaide Crash
A man found mentally incompetent in connection with a crash that killed two women, including decorated South Australian Police Detective Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan, is now facing a civil lawsuit. Harrison Kitt is being sued for damages by one of the first responders to the Anzac Day 2020 crash at Urrbrae, in Adelaide's south.
Details of the Civil Claim
Jacqueline Ross has lodged a District Court claim seeking $100,000, alleging she continues to suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a panic disorder as a result of what she describes as Kitt's negligence on that day. She claims the trauma has severely limited her ability to carry out domestic tasks, participate in social and recreational activities, and has caused a significant loss of income and earning capacity. Kitt has not yet filed a defence in response to these allegations.
Background of the Fatal Incident
The civil action comes almost six years after Kitt walked free from court, having been found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving due to mental incompetence. Kitt was behind the wheel of the car that crashed into two other vehicles, resulting in the deaths of Shanahan, 55, and St Peters mother-of-two Tania McNeill, 53. He sped through the busy Fullarton and Cross Rd intersection at Urrbrae at 160 km/h, running a red light while on the wrong side of the road. His car became airborne before slamming into Shanahan's Holden and McNeill's BMW.
Mental Health Factors and Legal Outcomes
Prosecutors conceded that Kitt was in the grip of a psychotic episode at the time of the crash. The court heard he had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and was experiencing his first severe manic episode, marked by grandiose and bizarre delusions. As a result, he was placed under strict mental-health and parole-board supervision, ordered to live with his parents, and banned from driving for 10 years. Despite the criminal case outcome, the civil lawsuit highlights the ongoing impact on those involved.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Ross' civil claim is set to return to court in June, where further developments are expected. This case underscores the complex interplay between mental health issues and legal accountability in tragic events. The community continues to remember the victims, with iconic Adelaide CBD buildings lit up in blue in memoriam of Detective Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan, reflecting the lasting impact of this devastating incident.
